NASCAR Race Weekend Central

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The Frontstretch Staff is made up of a group of talented men and women spread out all over the United States and Canada. Residing in 15 states throughout the country, plus Ontario, and widely ranging in age, the staff showcases a wide variety of diverse opinions that will keep you coming back for more week in and week out.

Fanning the Flames: Be Careful What You Wish For… Like it or Not, NASCAR Personality is Back

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Q: Hi, Matt! Sorry about the lost wages on the Derby. I was in the same boat. My question centers around another great racing tradition: The Indianapolis 500. Scott Dixon wins $100,000 for sitting on the pole, which is mind blowing if you think about it. Daytona qualifying is like Indy in that it is a complicated process that seems to drag on. But I’ve never heard of a dollar amount attached to winning the Daytona 500 pole. Is there prize money to sit on the pole for NASCAR’s crown jewel?

Voices from the Heartland: Some Plane Crash Facts NASCAR Fails to Mention

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When I saw a headline the other day stating that NASCAR officials had determined it was an electrical fire that brought down a NASCAR-operated Cessna 310 on July 10, 2007 in Sanford, Fla.; it struck me as extremely odd that they would be making such a statement. For those who’ve forgotten, let me refresh your memory of the tragedy that occurred halfway through the year. Five people were fatally wounded, including NASCAR pilots Michael Klemm and Dr. Bruce Kennedy, husband of ISC President Lesa France Kennedy. The three other fatalities were residents of the houses that the plane struck when it went down.

Mirror Driving: Judging The Lady In Black, Throwing Your Crew Under The Bus, And Yaw. Yes, Yaw

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Darlington’s new paving job produced speeds never touched before at the track, and tires held up longer than ever. Darlington stripes came back into fashion, too. Was this the best race at the track held in years, and what does it mean for the future of NASCAR’s original superspeedway?

Thompson in Turn 5: Richard Childress Rightfully a Hall of Famer

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Always a straight-shooter, but with a kind and down-home demeanor that makes the man easy to like, Richard Childress is a bonafide American rags-to-riches, couldn’t happen to a nicer guy success story. Though losing his father at the tender age of five years old and knowing poverty first hand, Childress has become unimaginably wealthy and resides in one of the most impressive homes in Davidson County. His charitable deeds and contributions to his community are considerable and are accomplished in a manner that fits his personality–humbly and with little fanfare.

Talking NASCAR TV: FOX Wines & Dines The Lady in Black to a 2nd Straight Saturday Night Success

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After a less-than-stellar outing at Talladega, the FOX Sports broadcasting team again turned in a performance deserving of the Emmy Award they received just a few short weeks ago. In fact, the last two races at Richmond and Darlington — both on Saturday nights — have come off nice and smooth, with few mistakes and less of the fluff that turns off and jades so many avid fans. But just like the right side of Kyle Busch’s race-winning car, the TV coverage wasn’t without its fair share of Darlington stripes. Here is a breakdown of how FOX fared during this Mother’s Day Weekend event

Who’s Hot/Who’s Not in Sprint Cup: 2008 Dodge Challenger 500 at Darlington Edition

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Despite a different track surface, it was the same ol’ Darlington Saturday night, with the Lady in Black’s walls jumping out and biting drivers on several occasions… including race winner Kyle Busch. But while there were some adjustments made to the track, adjustments made to this week’s “HOT” list are minimal. Busch continues to dominate. while Junior Nation continues to enjoy the success of the No. 88 team with another top five. Still, two new drivers are featured in this week’s “WARM” and “COLD” lists heading into All-Star weekend. To see who those teams are, check out this week’s edition of Who’s Hot/Who’s Not in Sprint Cup.

Bubble Breakdown: Dave Blaney Rides Momentum into the Top 35

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NASCAR’s Sprint Cup teams raced under the lights Saturday night at one of the crown jewel of the series: Darlington Raceway. The track labeled as “Too Tough to Tame” looked quite timid during qualifying for several of the bubble teams as five drivers managed to qualify their cars in the top 18 during Friday evening’s qualifying session. But Saturday night, the Lady in Black showed her true self, as only two of those bubble teams were able to manage top-20 finishes, and left us wondering why the others even bothered to paint the right sides of their cars. As the checkered flag waved, one team raced its way into the Top 35, one wrecked its way out, and the rest were just happy to get out in one piece. With that, here’s your break down of the bubble teams this week for the Dodge Challenger 500.

10 Points to Ponder… After the 2008 Dodge Challenger 500 at Darlington

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1. No Popularity Contest – Joe Gibbs Racing “hot shoe” Kyle Busch, winner of Saturday night’s Dodge Challenger 500 won honors as the First Quarter Driver of the Year for 2008. The voting panel, made up of individuals knowledgeable in the numerous disciplines of U.S. motor racing, picked the 23-year old Las Vegas, Nev. native for his winning performances in not just his Sprint Cup gig, but his impressive results in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series and Nationwide Series as well. Busch trounced his nearest rivals, totaling 142 points to runner-up and fellow NASCAR driver Carl Edwards, who garnered 72 points.

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